Trigger release devices



De@ 17, 1957 P. w. NICHOLS ETAL 2,815,447

TRIGGER RELEASE DEVICES y Filed April 26, 1954 l Illlnlll. l f

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2,816,447 Patented Dec. 17, 1957 VTRIGGER `RELEASE .DEVICES Proctor lW. Nichols 'and John C.' Whittingham, :Colorado P-Springs, "Colo.

This invention relates to improvements in devices of the y'type sometimes referred to as 'trigger releases and at other times as power packs.

It frequently happens that certain actions are to be performedin a-predetermined-sequence'and in such a'way that after the first action has been effected or set in motion by an voperator the desired series will automatically be carried out. As an example attention is called to airplanes provided with expulsion seats. The roof above the seats must be provided with a removable canopy which must be removed before the seat expulsion device is actuated yand it is important in this instance that the seat expulsion mechanism shall not become operative until after the canopy has been removed.

Another example is in blasting ore in mines where a number of holes are drilled in strategic places, the explosives of which are to be exploded in a predetermined order or sequence.

The above are merely some examples of the use to which the invention can be put and it is to be understood that protection is desired for any use to which the invention may be put.

It is the object of this invention to produce a device of the type indicated that shall be of a simple and sturdy design that Will be positive in its operation and which can be depended on to function properly at all times.

A further object is to produce a device that will be comparatively inexpensive and readily adapted for a variety of uses.

Having now in a general Way described the objects of the invention and indicated some of its uses, the invention will now be described in detail for which purpose reference will be had to the accompanying drawing in which the invention has been illustrated and in which:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section taken on line 1-1 Figure 2;

Figure 2 is an end elevational view looking upwardly in Figure l;

Figure 3 is a section taken on line 3 3, showing the position of the parts when the device is in cocked position;

Figure 4 is a section similar to that shown in Figure 3 and shows the parts at the instant that the plunger is released;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary section similar to that shown in Figure l and shows the plunger in cocked position, and,

Figure 6 is a diagram for use in explaining one use to which the invention can be put.

Referring now to the drawing reference numeral l() designates the base from the upper surface of which a body portion 11 projects. The upper half of body 11 has been shown as semi-cyclindrical but lcan be of any other desired shape. The rear side of the body has a threaded opening 12 which in the device illustrated has a diameter of one and one quarter inches, but which may be of any other diameter. The bottom of the threaded opening has an opening 13. An elongated circular body 14 has one end open and provided with an outwardly extending tlange 15 threaded for engagement with the threaded wall tif-opening 12;'the louter or rear vend 'of member V14 Ais-.provided with fan opeing'l'. A plunger 17,"havingtwosec- '.tions, 17a and 1"Ib,:of differentdiameters'separatedby'an integral illange 11'8, `extends entirely 'through the `assembly 'as-showninFigure 1 `Section 17a, which has "theilarger ldiameter, reciprocate'sin opening 13'and 17b reciprocates in opening a16. A helical compression 'spring 19 "surrounds section 1711 inthespa'ce 'between fiangel' andthe outerend `o'f member 114.

Referring nowfto 'Figures 3 land 4, it 'will be seen 'that 'the end/of flange -15'is provided'with two arcuatenotch'es 20 and 'Zllawhich serve'to position a 'U-shaped'orhairpin shaped spring21 that forms a latch `whenit 'engages 1in notches 22 as shown in Figures A3 and 5. Washer 23'rests 4on the fbotto'm ofthe threaded opening, 4surrounds section 17a-of I'thep'lungerand'serves asa support `for spring '21. Attached tothe Afront lend Aot'body -portion -11 is A'aftri'gger release device comprising aharndle 24 'that lterminates lat `its :lower end-in a circular plate '25 A'having a'central `rinwardly extending hub 26 that extends into opening 13 and serves as a bearing for part 17a. The plate and hub 26 are provided with diametrical notches 27 that receive pins 28 on section 17a when the plunger is in cocked position as shown in Figure 5. Enlarged end 25 has two diametrically positioned arcuate slots 29 that receive screws 30 which are threaded into body 11 and are so positioned and of such length that when they are in their operative position their ends engage the end of flange 15 and clamp member 14 in adjusted position.

Let us now assume that the device is constructed in the manner above described and that the plunger is moved from the position shown in Figure 1 to that shown in Figure 5 in which position spring 21 drops into notches 22. Before the plunger can be brought .to the position shown in Figure 5, pins 28 must enter notches 27 and this interconnects the handle and the plunger so that the latter can be rotated by the handle. The parts are preferably so adjusted that when the handle extends vertically as in Figure 2, notches 22 will be in the proper rotary position to receive the arms of spring 21. Spring 19 is now under considerable pressure. If the handle is now turned counter-clockwise Ito the dotted line position shown in Figure 2, the notches will assume the position shown in Figure 4 and the plunger will then be free to move in response to the pressure exerted by spring 19 and will move with a snap from the position shown in Figure 5 to that shown in Figure l. Angle w through which the handle and the plunger must be turned to release the latch depends in a great measure on the depth of notches 22 and may vary greatly, being ordinarily adjusted to approximately 45 degrees.

In Figure 6 an illustrative diagram is shown in which three devices of the type described `above are connected in series so as to effect three operations in a predetermined sequence. In Figure 6 numeral 32 designates a cartridge and 33 designates a projectile and represent, for example, the explosive in a drill hole in a mine and a member moved by the explosive. When the operator pulls cord or cable 31 and releases the plunger, the explosive is ignited by suitable means and releases projectile 33 which exerts a pull on cable 31a which then operates the second trigger release which in turn explodes the second charge and this again operates the third trigger release which ignites the third charge ad infinitum. Instead of igniting explosives, the device may start or stop machines in sequence or perform any other similar task.

What is claimed Vas new is:

l. A device of the class described comprising in combination, a base having a body portion of extended area provided on one side with a circular depression, the bottorn having a central opening, an elongated hollow body having one end open, the other being closed and provided ywith a central opening, means providing an interlock between the open end of said hollow member and the body member, a plunger extending through the hollow member and mounted for reciprocation in the openings in the base and in said bottom, said plunger having a circular flange positioned within the hollow member, a helical `coil spring surrounding that portion of the plunger between the ange and said closed end, means comprising a spring urgedv detent positioned in the depressed area of the body, the plunger having at least one detent notch positioned to engage with said detent to latch the plunger when it is iu one rotary position and means comprising a handle rock* ably connected with the body and non-rockably but slidt ably connected with the plunger when the latter is in latched position, for .turning the plunger to unlatched `position permitting it to move in response to the force exerted thereon by the spring.

2. A device in accordance with claim 1 in which the detent consists of a wire-like member positioned in the depressed area and projecting across the plunger, and in which the detent notch bottom lies in a chord positioned to receive the detent when the plunger is cocked,

and in which the handle is mounted to rock about the axis of the plunger and in which means is provided to interlock the handle and the plunger when the latter is in cocked position, whereby an angular movement of the handle will turn the plunger and release the latch.

3. A device in accordance with claim l in which the hollow member is interlocked with the base by screw threads.

4. A device in accordance with claim 2 in which the detent spring has a hairpin shape and straddles the plunger and in which the plunger has two diametrically positioned chordal notches one for each leg of the spring.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,647,128 Frisbie Nov. 1, 1927 2,234,652 Prager Mar. 11 1941 2,532,510 Nelson Dec. 5, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 608,182 Great Britain Sept.r l0, 1948 

